Is ytterbium a metal?

Yes. Ytterbium is a metal, classified as a lanthanide on the periodic table.

How many protons does ytterbium have?

Ytterbium has 70 protons. Its atomic number is 70, which is also the number of electrons in a neutral atom of ytterbium.

What group and period is ytterbium in?

Ytterbium is in period 6 of the periodic table. As a lanthanide in the f-block, it sits in a separate row below the main table and has no standard group number.

What is the atomic mass of ytterbium?

The atomic mass of ytterbium is 173.05 u (unified atomic mass units).

Element 70

Ytterbium (Yb)

Lanthanide · Period 6 · f-block

Ytterbium (Yb) is element 70 of the periodic table, a lanthanide in period 6 (f-block) with an atomic mass of 173.05 and is a solid at standard conditions.

At a glance

Atomic number: 70
Symbol: Yb
Atomic mass: 173.05 u
Category: Lanthanides
Period: 6
Block: f-block
Phase at STP: solid

Electron structure

Electron configuration: 1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2 3p6 3d10 4s2 4p6 4d10 4f14 5s2 5p6 6s2
Shorthand configuration: [Xe] 4f14 6s2
Electrons per shell: 2, 8, 18, 32, 8, 2
Oxidation states: +2, +3

Physical properties

Melting point: 1,097 K (823.85 °C)
Boiling point: 1,469 K (1,195.85 °C)
Density: 6.965 g/cm³
Phase: solid

Atomic properties

Electronegativity (Pauling): 1.1
Atomic radius: 222 pm
Covalent radius: 187 pm
First ionization energy: 603 kJ/mol
Electron affinity: 50 kJ/mol

Notable isotopes

Notable isotopes of Ytterbium: mass number, atomic mass, natural abundance, and stability.
Isotope	Mass	Abundance	Stability
Yb-174	173.93887	31.83%	Stable

Common uses

Lasers
Metallurgy
Atomic clocks
Dental materials

Discovery

Year: 1878
Discovered by: Jean Charles Galissard de Marignac
Country: Switzerland

Frequently asked questions

Is ytterbium a metal?: Yes. Ytterbium is a metal, classified as a lanthanide on the periodic table.
How many protons does ytterbium have?: Ytterbium has 70 protons. Its atomic number is 70, which is also the number of electrons in a neutral atom of ytterbium.
What group and period is ytterbium in?: Ytterbium is in period 6 of the periodic table. As a lanthanide in the f-block, it sits in a separate row below the main table and has no standard group number.
What is the atomic mass of ytterbium?: The atomic mass of ytterbium is 173.05 u (unified atomic mass units).

Keep exploring

Ytterbium's row is on the printable element property sheet, and its tile is on the periodic table wall chart - the same numbers as above, laid out for A4 or A3 paper.